With summer on the horizon, many families are planning for a vacation. For families with a cerebral palsy child, there are special considerations that need to be made. Below are some things you should consider when planning your trip:

Special hotel or air travel accommodations – For instance, if your child is in a wheelchair, you’ll probably want a room on the first floor of a hotel.  You’ll also need to know if the hotel room has a wheelchair accessible bathroom. For air travel, you should contact the airline ahead of time to ensure things go as smoothly as possible on the day of your flight.
 

Other travel accommodations – Are you renting a car? If so, does the vehicle need any modifications for your child? Will you need a specialized car seat?
 

Medication considerations – Make sure to pack any necessary medications (preferably in your carry-on). Remember to pack extra as a precaution. It’s better to have too much than not enough.
Insurance and emergency information – Having this information on hand could save you a lot of trouble should you need it.
 

Disability access – If you’re heading to a theme park or particular attraction, call in advance to make sure they’re accessible. You may also want to find out what kind of equipment they provide for patrons, such as wheelchairs and strollers.
 

Talk to your child about what to expect on your trip and allow your child time to regroup when necessary.

And last but not least, have fun!

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